ARBORIST CHECKLIST
Attention To/ Contact ________________________ Phone ______________ Email______________________________
Project Name: _________________________________________________________ LDP # _____________________
**To be completed by applicant**
1st Review____________
2nd Review_____________ 3rd Review___________ Date Approved_________________
Reviewer: David Shostak
Phone: (678) 297-6229
Email: [email protected]
**To be completed by City Staff**
Eligible for one-stop:
1: YES_______ NO_______
2: YES_______ NO_______
3: YES_______ NO_______
STANDARD SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
This completed and annotated checklist MUST be provided with plans prior to any review.

Denotes no action required
A. _____
X
Denotes action required
N/A Denotes not applicable to this project
Tree Survey
1._____
Provide a Tree Survey including all Specimen Trees (Understory 8” DBH,
Overstory 24” DBH, and Pines 30”DBH) located on the property. All trees must
be measured at Diameter at Breast Height (DBH: 4.5 feet above the ground
line). Multi-stem trees must be measured at the most narrow point below the fork
but at least 6” above the ground line. For multi-stem trees also include the
individual stem measurements listed in parenthesis.
2._____
Tree Survey must also include ALL existing non specimen “landscape trees”
(including street trees, parking lot trees, etc.) and ALL trees that may be used to
count towards the existing density factor (EDF) measured at DBH.
3._____
Tree Survey must also include non-specimen “Trees of Quality” which may
include smaller non specimen trees and groupings or groves of these trees that
may warrant protection or preservation based upon size, condition, special
interest, character, etc.
4._____
Tree Survey must also include all Boundary Trees greater than 20 inches DBH
and Specimen Trees (overstory and understory) within 30 feet of the property
line or limits of disturbance even if on adjacent properties. (This is in no way an
authorization to trespass.)
5._____
Specimen Trees and Trees of Quality MUST be flagged and labeled with a
numbered tag in order to be located out in the field (including those on
adjacent properties if access is granted).
6._____
Tree Survey must be prepared by, dated, sealed and signed by a registered
surveyor and included in all sets of plans and submittals and be labeled in the
index on the cover sheet.
Approved 10/2015
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7._____
To prevent delays we recommend confirmation of the tree survey by a Certified
Professional. An inaccurate survey will create delays in plan review and
possible permit revocation.
8._____
City Arborist MUST receive a copy of the tree assessment report, including all
specimen trees, boundary trees, trees of quality, and landscape trees prior to
ANY review.
9._____
Provide photographs of all fair to poor condition trees including any defects that
may reduce the quality of a tree.
10._____ The tree assessment report MUST address whether or not a tree is worth
designing around based upon condition, form, structure, or location.
11._____ This report must include reference numbers used on field tags. Numbers noted
on survey, plans, trees, and arborist report MUST match.
12._____ The complete report or a summary table detailing the condition of the surveyed
trees MUST be included in the plan set.
13._____ If no trees exist on the site, provide note, “No existing trees on the site.”
B. _____
Specimen, Landscape, and Boundary Trees
1._____
An alternate design MUST be submitted that preserves Specimen Trees,
Boundary Trees, Trees of Quality, and Landscape Trees. Tree survey and
Arborist assessment is NOT a recompense calculator.
2._____
If a Specimen Tree, Boundary Tree, Landscape Tree, or Tree of Quality cannot
be designed around a hardship justification MUST be provided on the plans.
3._____
Show the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) of the existing Trees to be saved (1.3 feet X
inches DBH = radius in feet) on the Tree Protection, Landscape, Erosion Control,
Grading, and Demolition sheets. Not just specimen trees.
4._____
Label dimension of all CRZs on the Tree Protection sheets.
5._____
If encroachment is allowed within the CRZ of Specimen and Boundary trees
please provide the % encroachment on the Tree Protection sheets.
6._____
If removal or encroachment is allowed within the CRZ of a Boundary tree an
agreement between the owners will be provided and included in the plan set.
7._____
All Specimen Trees, Boundary Trees, Trees of Quality, and Landscape Trees to
be removed MUST be marked with an “X” on the Tree Protection, Landscape,
Erosion Control, Grading, and Demolition sheets.
C. _____
Tree Care Plan
1._____
For Trees to be saved, a tree care and maintenance plan MUST be provided on
the Landscape plan, Tree Protection sheet, or the Landscape Details sheet.
2._____
A Tree Care and Maintenance plan will be developed specifically for each
Specimen Tree, Landscape, Tree, Boundary Tree, or Tree of Quality that
warrants care due to the changes in site conditions.
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3._____
The plan shall be drafted by a Certified Professional and include tree protection
and care prior to starting, during, and throughout construction and for 2 years
after issuance of a certificate of occupancy (CO).
4._____
The plan shall include, but not be limited to: canopy and root pruning,
compaction reduction, root treatments, fertilization, fungicide/insecticide
treatments, and lightning protection. Please make sure to include the pruning of
limbs and roots at the limits of disturbance or that overhang the site that may be
ripped or torn during demolition and grading.
5._____
Every plan shall include a monitoring program where the Certified Professional
will assess the tree for evidence of wood boring and other insect infestations,
disease and pathogen infestations, mechanical damage, etc.
6._____
The plan shall be developed around the realistic project start date and
reasonable timelines for implementation. Timeframes can be stated as “Prior to
construction”, “within 2-weeks start of construction”, during a specific season
and the YEAR, etc. These timeframes shall be stated in the plan and must be
adhered to.
7._____
All recommendations must match the items detailed in any required notes or
items in other sections of this checklist that are included on these plans.
8._____
Include a note on the Tree Care and Maintenance plan stating “In the event that
there are any changes to the health and or condition of the tree(s) that warrant
additional tree care a new plan will be provided to the City Arborist.
9._____
Include a note on the Tree Care and Maintenance plan stating “The City
Arborist must be notified within one week of completion of any tree care item in
the plan. Proof of completion must also be submitted to City Arborist. If proof
has not been provided a CO will not be issued.”
10._____ It is preferred to have the complete tree care plan pre-paid for with a reputable
tree care company prior to opening of the site. Provide City Arborist with proof
of prepayment.
D. _____
Tree Protection and Limits of Disturbance Fencing
1._____
In addition to protecting trees and buffers this fencing may be used to delineate
your LOD and may also be used to wrap a site to keep pedestrians out of your
construction zones. See detail STD. L-6 for approved types of fencing.
2._____
Clearly show all tree protection fence locations at the LOD on the Tree
Protection, Erosion Control, Grading, and Demolition plans. To receive the EDF
credits all tree protection areas and fencing must be shown.
3._____
Tree protection fencing MUST protect the entire CRZ of specimen trees or to the
greatest extent possible where approved by the City Arborist.
4._____
Show the Structural Root Plate (SRP) of all “existing trees to be saved” along the
limits of disturbance (.5 feet X inches DBH = Radius in feet) on the Tree
Protection and Grading plans. Tree protection fence must be shown at the edge
of the SRP or farther to receive EDF credits for these trees.
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5._____
Provide Type “B” wire-back tree save fence and metal posts along all required
buffers.
6._____
Provide tree save fence: Type “B” wire-backed with metal stakes and signage
around CRZ of specimen trees and Type “C” orange mesh with metal stakes at
all other locations. Type “A” orange mesh with wooden posts will have limited
use. Chain link fence may be required for extra protection in some areas.
7._____
Provide measurements from specimen trees or other surveyed trees and known
points such as manholes, property corners, structures, etc. to the tree protection
fencing on the Tree Protection and Erosion Control 1sheets. These
measurements will be used to verify the location of the tree save fence during
the initial tree fence inspection. If these measurements do not match field
measurements the site will not be allowed to open.
8._____
Use callouts or differing line types to denote the different types of tree save
fencing and note stop and start locations. Tree fence should be labelled “A”,
“B”, or “C” per detail STD. L-6. You may also add labels noting “Tree Save
Fence”, “Wire Back Tree Save Fence”, “Chain Link”, etc. as required. Do not
label as “active” or “passive”.
9._____
When the grading plan calls for filling along the LOD consider using hay bales
instead of trenching in silt fence for your Erosion Control.
10._____ Make sure the activity schedule shows ONLY the installation of tree save/LOD
fencing as the first item.
E. _____
Tree Planting and Landscaping
1._____
Provide a complete landscape plan including all tree replacements, entrance
landscaping, buffer plantings, required landscape strips, streetscapes, etc. This
plan should include trees, shrubs, ground cover, mulch, seasonal color,
hardscapes, etc.
2._____
Provide site density calculation summary for commercial, apartments, condos,
townhomes, industrial, etc. at twenty (20) tree units per acre. This is for all
property types except single family detached (‘For-Sale’ residential lots).
3._____
Provide site density calculation summary for single family detached (‘For-Sale’
residential lots) calculated at 30% minimum tree density per lot. Please contact
City Arborist for explanation if needed.
4._____
Provide specimen tree recompense summary. Recompense is in addition to all
other tree requirements. Recompense plantings MUST be provided at 3 times
the density removed and should be native and of a similar species.
5._____
100% of the density requirement MUST be planted on site
6._____
Provide replacement tree table: Include caliper, height, quantity, unit values and
total value columns for each species (separate columns for density and
recompense).
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7._____
Show that the percentage from any one GENUS equals no more than 30% of
the total tree replacement. This number is based on the total number of trees
(recompense, density, and all other proposed trees), not the unit values.
8._____
Crape myrtles used for tree density credit must be single stem standards and
shown as a minimum height of 9-10 feet for a 0.4 unit value. The cultivar must
be indicated.
9._____
Evergreen trees used for density credit must be shown as a minimum height of
9-10’ for 2-2.5” caliper credit (.4 units) and 11-12’ for 3” caliper credit (.5
units), and so on.
10._____ Provide required street scape with 1 tree for every 25’ of road frontage for all
property lines abutting a ROW. Street trees MUST be minimum 4” caliper
shade trees. It is encouraged to plant appropriate size trees in beauty strips.
11._____ Provide required landscape strip with 1 tree for every 50’ property line for all
other property lines. Landscape strip trees MUST be minimum 4” caliper shade
trees.
12._____ Provide 1 – 200 sq ft minimum tree island for every 72 linear feet of parking
(approximately 8 spaces) as well as one 200 sq ft parking lot island at the end
of each bank/bay of parking spaces. Islands 400 sq ft or larger and corner
islands shall have 2 required trees. Parking lot trees MUST be a minimum of 2”
caliper shade trees at time of planting.
13._____ Dimensions/area of the parking lot islands must be labelled on the site plan.
14._____ Parking lots, detention ponds, dumpsters, utility and paved areas MUST be
screened with a double row of evergreen shrubs a minimum of 2’ tall at time of
planting and a 4” caliper shade tree every 25 linear feet. Please list plant
dimensions (height and spread) not container size for required shrubs.
15._____ The majority of trees should be native to the Georgia Piedmont.
16._____ Pine trees are NOT allowed by the City Arborist for tree replacement credit or
for evergreen screening requirements.
17._____ Recompense to be provided on-site: Graphically highlight/ shade the location
of the specimen recompense trees on the plans. (Recompense trees are in
addition to required density and all other code requirements).
18._____ Trees planted for specimen recompense MUST be at least 4” caliper deciduous
or 13-14’ tall evergreen/conifers.
19._____ Recompense planted off-site must be approved by City Arborist (hardship only).
Of site planting locations MUST be on property held by the same ownership as
the property being developed or on City owned property and approved by the
Arborist.
20._____ Check for Specimen recompense must be approved by City Arborist (hardship
only).
21._____ Off Site Recompense plantings or Payment to tree bank must be decided prior
to plan approval and sign off.
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F. _____
Utilities
1._____
No Utilities are allowed in required tree islands or beauty strips. Locate all Light
Fixtures, Water Lines, Fire Hydrants, etc. outside of required tree planting
areas.
2._____
Show all landscape, street, and parking lot lighting on landscape plans.
Conflicts between trees and lights, current and future, will be avoided. Light
location MUST be coordinated with electrical plans submitted to the Building
Department.
3._____
Drainage and sewer pipes may not be located under required tree planting
areas.
4._____
Label all drainage and sewer easements, including private easements on the
Landscape plan. No trees shall be planted in easements.
5._____
Label all storm water management facilities including the 10’ pond access
easement on the Landscape plan. No trees shall be planted in easements.
6._____
All overhead and underground utility lines and easements (existing and
proposed) must be shown on the Landscape plan. Species used under overhead
lines must meet the Utility provider’s specification and be approved by utility
provider and City staff.
7._____
Utility locations MUST be coordinated with and approved by the utility
providers during the plan review process. Provide City Arborist with proof of
communication.
G. _____
Details:
1._____
Provide city tree planting and anchoring details STD. L-1 through STD. L-4.
2._____
Provide city tree planting in parking lots detail STD. L-5 showing full excavation
of parking lot islands from curb to curb and soil replaced with friable soils and
an acceptable planting mix
3._____
Provide city tree protection detail STD. L-6 and STD. L-9.
4._____
Provide city detail STD. L-8 for root barrier and manufacturers detail(s) when
existing trees or planted trees are within 10’ of existing or proposed City
owned and maintained hardscapes or when indicated by City Arborist. Note
on the Landscape plan the locations where root barrier will be installed.
5._____
Remove all references in non-city details and comments to installing wire tree
guys, turnbuckles, etc. Use fabric ties as approved by arborist.
6._____
H. _____
Provide tree grading cue card detail with Florida Grades.
Provide the following notes on the Tree Protection, Grading, Erosion Control, and
Demolition sheets in bold letters:
1._____
All existing trees, specimen and non-specimen, counted for EDF credits or found
within tree save areas must be fully preserved during all phases of this project.
2._____
The CRZ of Specimen Trees plus all stream buffers shall be protected with wireback tree save fencing with metal support posts and Tree Save signage.
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3._____
Installation of the tree save fence will involve no trenching.
4._____
Tree save fence for entire site must be installed, inspected and approved prior
to installation of erosion control measures. No land disturbance or demolition is
allowed before tree save fencing has been inspected and approved by City
Arborist.
5._____
Additional trees along the limits of disturbance with encroachment into the SRP
and deemed structurally unsafe by the City Arborist or the Project Arborist may
be required to be removed prior to CO.
6._____
All roots encountered 1/2” or greater during grading or excavating operations
shall be clean cut under the direction of an ISA Certified Arborist.
7._____
It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the vegetation and remove trash and
debris around the perimeter of the project, especially within areas abutting a
public ROW, in accordance with the City of Alpharetta Property Maintenance
Codes.
8._____
All approved revisions to the location of the tree save fence need to be
coordinated with the land disturbance inspector prior to relocation.
I. _____
Provide the following note on the Landscape plan and Utility plan:
1._____
J. _____
ALL TREES MUST BE PLANTED A MINIMUM OF 5 FEET FROM ANY UTILITY
LINE AND OR EASEMENTS. Make sure this note is bold and in a prominent
place near utilities. ALL utilities (water, sewer, gas, fiber optic, etc.) must be
installed at least five (5) feet from required tree planting islands or landscape
areas.
Provide the following notes on the Landscape Plan:
1._____
The City Arborist must inspect the site before installation of erosion control
measures. Land disturbance without a site inspection and approval by the City
Arborist will result in a “Stop-Work Order” and fines.
2._____
If tree survey inaccuracies are found on-site, a stop work order will be issued
until revised plans are approved and processed based on accurate information.
3._____
The City Arborist must inspect and approve the site before the issuance of a
Certificate of Occupancy.
4._____
Trees agreed upon to be saved are the responsibility of the owner.
5._____
A 4” layer of mulch will be required for the CRZ of Specimen Trees. Mulch must
be applied prior to start of construction. Mulch shall not be placed directly
against tree trunks.
6._____
A minimum 2” layer of mulch will be required for all existing, non specimen,
landscape trees, including street trees and parking lot trees. Mulch must be
applied prior to start of construction. Mulch shall not be placed directly against
tree trunks.
7._____
All mulch must be organic mulch consisting of wood chips, shredded bark, pine
needles, or similar. Synthetic mulch is not approved for use by the City Arborist.
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8._____
All newly planted trees shall have visible root flares at finished grade. No
circling roots shall be allowed on planted trees. The upper two rings of the wire
basket, all burlap, and strapping MUST be cut and removed prior to backfill.
9._____
Trees less than the caliper inch shown will not be accepted. I.e.: 3 inch caliper
trees must be 3 inches or larger.
10._____ Plant height measurement is taken at the top of the main body of the plant and
not at the tip of the topmost growth.
11._____ All newly planted trees shall be equivalent in quality to a Florida #1 grade or
better. All trees of lesser quality shall be rejected by the City Arborist.
12._____ Watering bags or a drip irrigation system MUST be provided for all trees prior
to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
13._____ When watering bags are used manufacturers recommendations MUST be
followed for proper sizing and watering schedules. Bags will be filled weekly
by owner and during droughts for a minimum of 18 months after installation.
14._____ NO TRENCHING ALLOWED IN TREE SAVE AREAS- INCLUDING IRRIGATION.
15._____ Tree pit drainage testing is required when trees are planted in parking lot
islands, sidewalk tree pits, roadway medians, or similar locations. Please refer
to City Details regarding planting pit or landscape island construction. Fill each
pit with water. If percolation is less than 100% within a period of 12 hours, use
an auger to drill a 10” inch hole to a depth of four feet below the bottom of the
pit. Fill auger hole with drainage gravel and cover with a soil separator. Retest
pit. If drainage is still unsatisfactory, City Arborist and/or Project Arborist must
be notified in writing of the locations with unsatisfactory drainage so that a
solution can be arrived at before planting. All testing results must be provided to
the City Arborist.
16._____ All buffers shall be replanted where sparse or as directed by the City of
Alpharetta in order to create a year round opaque screen within 2 years of
construction. This may be in addition to what is shown on the approved
landscape plan.
17._____ All tree guys and stakes shall be removed from tree after one complete growing
season or one year after planting, whichever is greater.
18._____ NO TREES SHALL BE PLANTED ON ANY AREA OF AN EARTHEN DAM OR
EMBANKMENT. Make sure this note is bold and located in a prominent place
near the dam.
K. _____
Additional Requirements
1._____
Provide Zoning Conditions on plans and provide site plans, including trees and
landscaping plans to Arborist.
2._____
Provide Design Review Board comments and requirements on plans and
provide any site plans submitted to and approved by DRB to Arborist.
3._____
Check count of trees on plan against plant list and percent of genus (< 30%).
4._____
Check calculations on plant list and show cultivars
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5._____
Examine buffers and border plantings (provide mixed genus under most
circumstances).
6._____
Check adjacent properties for landscape strip plantings and coordinate to
match or complement existing plantings.
7._____
Check to make sure proper trees are planted in beauty strips and owner
accepts responsibility for them.
Notes, details and checklists may be found at www.alpharetta.ga.us under files and downloads
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